HC Deb 06 March 1989 vol 148 cc445-6W
25. Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much expenditure on support for the family has increased since 1978–79.

38. Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the level of public expenditure on support for the family now; and what it was in 1978–79.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

From 1974–75 to 1978–79, support for families, excluding extra help needed because unemployment was rising, fell by 7 per cent. in real terms. Under this Government, family support has risen by 27.3 per cent.—again in real terms. Expressed in 1988–89 values this means that between 1974–75 and 1978–79, family support fell by £500 million from £7,250 million to £6,740 million and then rose by £1,840 million to £8,580 million in 1988–89.

34. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what support is provided in the United Kingdom and in other European Community countries for families with children.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's publication "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1January 1988)", a copy of which is in the Library.